PICA To Offer Temporary Residency To Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals will soon be able to live in Jamaica for one year. This according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang. 

He says a submission is to be presented to the Cabinet for the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) to introduce a one-year temporary residency. 

The minister was speaking on Friday, December 18, at the opening ceremony for a new PICA office at the Fairview Plaza in Montego bay, St. James.  

The Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang , says, following the Covid-19 pandemic, increased travel to the island is  expected.

“One of the questions coming out of the pandemic is ‘where will I live’. And in figuring this out one has to establish residency. which is why PICA is working to establish the temporary residency programme,” he says. 

Additionally, he says the impact of that will not only increase demands on the operations of the agency. But will provide an opportunity for foreigners to live and work in Jamaica for one year. 

Meanwhile, PICA’s CEO Andrew Wynter adds that over 4,000 persons were granted citizenship to Jamaica last year. He says when the temporary residency programme is approved, this will be another product and service the agency will be happy to provide to visitors. 

The newly upgraded PICA office located at the Annex Plaza in Fairview, Montego Bay, St. James was officially opened on Friday, December 18. 

Wynter says new services; such as those offered in Kingston are coming to the office in short order.

Aladden Love reports for CVM Live: